Module Response 6: Effectiveness of Bilingual Education
1. Based on the reading by Baker and Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, and the evidence provided in the research cited, and considering your understanding of how bilingual education works and what makes it most effective in teaching language, content, and literacy skills to English Learners, what specific factors do you believe have made bilingual education programs most effective? Name and discuss a minimum of three factors. What specific factors do you believe have made bilingual education programs least effective? Name and discuss a minimum of three factors.
Bilingual education format has changed so much over the years, contrary of what some people believe, it is not a new issue or problem. It has been in the U.S. for over 200 years. Regardless of how old or how new, Bilingual Education has always being under the loop and evaluation of other educators, politicians, and researchers. Some people are looking to improve the curriculum and others on attacking and trying to make it disappear from the current education views. What makes a bilingual program effective? Bilingual education effectiveness must be addressed in different perspectives, from the individual child, classroom, the school, and program. (Baker 2011) (p. 254) For a Bilingual education program to be successful, Baker (2011) recommends looking into the following factors: Intake of students and language balance, Shared vision, mission and goals among staff, Staff professional development and training, leadership, curriculum, supportive ethos and environment, high expectations, individualization, and parents. Bilingual education is not only how to teach a language, is a way to teaching through language. Collier (1995) mentioned that one of the factors that contribute to Bilingual program effectiveness is the amount of “formal schooling students have received in their first language.” (As cited by Baker, 2011) (p.293) Baker mentioned that students with little or no schooling in their home language could take between seven and ten years to reach English language proficiency if any. In Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, the 50-50 …show more content…
This program also showed different features, including “the use of bilingual Learning Centers and Resource Centers; and the language of the day.” (Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, 2005 (p. 162) the main goal for this program is that all students become proficient in using two languages for communication and learning. These instructional strategies can be added to the effectiveness of any bilingual program.
Dual language programs may not be established unless a sufficient number of native English speakers are available to enroll. This can be a problem, because some English Language Learners may be denied the opportunity to participate in a program to serve their needs. Budget may not be released by the State if there are not enough English native speakers in the same school or district. If the district fails to show proper data supporting the effectiveness of the program, budget may be cut and a good program may …show more content…
I agree that we need highly skilled and educated teachers, but we also need highly educated paraprofessionals, administration staff and office staff, who are willing to help and assist the student and their families. Benson (2004) mentioned that Teachers in bilingual classrooms sometimes find barriers like “large and overcrowded classes of under-nourished students, inadequate teacher training, a lack of teaching resources, poor pay and promotion prospects and stigma of working with lowly regarded bilinguals, and limited funding.” (As cited by Baker
1. Based on the reading by Baker and Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, and the evidence provided in the research cited, and considering your understanding of how bilingual education works and what makes it most effective in teaching language, content, and literacy skills to English Learners, what specific factors do you believe have made bilingual education programs most effective? Name and discuss a minimum of three factors. What specific factors do you believe have made bilingual education programs least effective? Name and discuss a minimum of three factors.
Bilingual education format has changed so much over the years, contrary of what some people believe, it is not a new issue or problem. It has been in the U.S. for over 200 years. Regardless of how old or how new, Bilingual Education has always being under the loop and evaluation of other educators, politicians, and researchers. Some people are looking to improve the curriculum and others on attacking and trying to make it disappear from the current education views. What makes a bilingual program effective? Bilingual education effectiveness must be addressed in different perspectives, from the individual child, classroom, the school, and program. (Baker 2011) (p. 254) For a Bilingual education program to be successful, Baker (2011) recommends looking into the following factors: Intake of students and language balance, Shared vision, mission and goals among staff, Staff professional development and training, leadership, curriculum, supportive ethos and environment, high expectations, individualization, and parents. Bilingual education is not only how to teach a language, is a way to teaching through language. Collier (1995) mentioned that one of the factors that contribute to Bilingual program effectiveness is the amount of “formal schooling students have received in their first language.” (As cited by Baker, 2011) (p.293) Baker mentioned that students with little or no schooling in their home language could take between seven and ten years to reach English language proficiency if any. In Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, the 50-50 …show more content…
This program also showed different features, including “the use of bilingual Learning Centers and Resource Centers; and the language of the day.” (Gomez, Freeman & Freeman, 2005 (p. 162) the main goal for this program is that all students become proficient in using two languages for communication and learning. These instructional strategies can be added to the effectiveness of any bilingual program.
Dual language programs may not be established unless a sufficient number of native English speakers are available to enroll. This can be a problem, because some English Language Learners may be denied the opportunity to participate in a program to serve their needs. Budget may not be released by the State if there are not enough English native speakers in the same school or district. If the district fails to show proper data supporting the effectiveness of the program, budget may be cut and a good program may …show more content…
I agree that we need highly skilled and educated teachers, but we also need highly educated paraprofessionals, administration staff and office staff, who are willing to help and assist the student and their families. Benson (2004) mentioned that Teachers in bilingual classrooms sometimes find barriers like “large and overcrowded classes of under-nourished students, inadequate teacher training, a lack of teaching resources, poor pay and promotion prospects and stigma of working with lowly regarded bilinguals, and limited funding.” (As cited by Baker